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The 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S Saoutchik Torpedo Roadster that took top honors was the star at a fundraising event at Paul Russell and Co. in Essex, Mass. Photo by Courtesy of Paul Russell and Co.

A 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S Saoutchik Torpedo Roadster took Best-in-Show honors at this year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, and it was recently enlisted to help raise funds so other historic vehicles can shine in such limelight.

The Mercedes-Benz was the centerpiece at a fundraising event at Paul Russell and Co. in Essex, Mass., the automotive restoration and preservation specialists of the car. An enthusiastic crowd of more than 200 people donated $60,000 to benefit McPherson College's Automotive Restoration Program, the country's only four-year Bachelor of Arts program devoted to the craft. McPherson is located in central Kansas.

Attendees were treated to a firsthand explanation of the custom coachbuilder's art from the restoration team, several of whom are McPherson College graduates.

“We are thrilled to champion the Automotive Restoration Program at McPherson College and to have program graduates involved in a restoration project of this magnitude—an exquisite example of the 'coachbuilt era' motorcar,” said Paul Russell, event host and longtime advisor to the school.

Mercedes-Benz USA brought a new Le Mans Red SLS coupe to compare and contrast with its 85-year-old predecessor. The event drew nearly a dozen sponsors who share a longtime interest and involvement with the McPherson College Automotive Restoration Program.

“We're proud to provide scholarship opportunities, to join in these fundraisers and promote the McPherson College Automotive Restoration Program,” said Mike Kunz, of the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Irvine, Calif. “We also enjoy the firsthand benefit of employing the graduates of the program, with one of our youngest employees becoming a specialist on our oldest model—the very car that launched the automotive age—the 1886 Benz Patent Motorwagen,” said Kunz, who like Russell, is also an advisor to the McPherson program.

“It is important for all of us to support institutions like McPherson College so future generations learn how to properly restore classic cars. McPherson sets the standard, and their graduates can be found at some of the world's leading restoration shops and winning prestigious awards at events around the country,” said McKeel Hagerty, president and CEO of Hagerty Insurance.

The restoration team took attendees through the meticulous processes they used to bring the 1928 Mercedes-Benz up to the exacting Pebble Beach standards. Processes, such as researching and recreating the lizard-skin upholstery, were accomplished with utmost deliberative care, and more than 1,500 hours were spent on this endeavor alone. Chris Andrews—son of the vehicle's owners, Paul and Judy Andrews of Fort Worth, Texas—was closely involved in monitoring the progress through the nearly two-year-long project, emphasizing the roadworthiness of the finished product, in addition to its Pebble Beach Concours preparation.

“I'm proud to be part of this team,” McPherson graduate Stacy Puckett, the resource manager at Paul Russell and Co. said. “Preserving the history of these important early motorcars so future generations can enjoy and learn from them is a pretty awesome job.”

Amanda Gutierrez, McPherson College vice president for automotive restoration, said they were pleased to have so many restoration alumni involved with the Best-of-Show winner and appreciate all the efforts of Paul Russell and Co. to organize this benefit.

“At McPherson College, we teach students the skills, historical background and global perspective they need to develop into world-class restorers—like those at Paul Russell and Co.,” she said. “We are so proud of our alumni success and their passion and professionalism. Our thanks go to Paul Russell for seeing the value of McPherson College.”